Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King begged black youths to turn their lives around after jailing a 21-year-old yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Jerkeyo David Berkeley who has a long history of criminal offences, was jailed for wilful damage, making false statements, speeding and driving without a licence.

But Mr. King called on those who blame "the system'' to come into court and observe the "foolishness''.

And he sent a message to young men, saying they hurt their parents and "keep them poor''.

Mr. King said: "I wish that some of those people who write letters and call talk shows about how unfair the system is to black youth -- I wish some of those people would come to court and see how some of our youngsters behave.

"How you disrespect yourselves and the law then they want to complain how the magistrates and judges fill up the prison with the fellows,'' he added.

Mr. King said Berkeley had been given numerous opportunities throughout his life and it was time for him to be "taken out of circulation''.

Berkeley's previous record included breaking and entering a car, attempting to steal money, cruelty to animals, four counts of both speeding and driving without a license and an accumulated $1,450 in unpaid fines.

Yesterday in Magistrates' Court, Berkeley, of Alexandria Drive in Devonshire, pleaded guilty to unlawfully damaging a car, speeding at 62 kph, driving without a licence and making false statements to Police.

Mr. King looked at Berkeley's record and said: "It looks as though everything has been tried with you.'' Berkeley said he would turn his life around and all he needed was a job but Mr. King replied: "No, you need to change your attitude and your behaviour.'' Mr. King called the previous penalties "powder puff'' and said Berkeley had only been "licked with a feather''.

"Now is the time for the leather belt,'' Mr. King said.

Berkeley said prison time would make him worse but Mr. King replied: "You see! That is your attitude. If it's not going to do you any good, then it's not going to do you any harm either. You had your chances and you dropped the ball.'' Mr. King imprisoned Berkeley for three months for attempting to steal cash, six months for unlawfully damaging a car and an increased penalty of six months because the incident took place at night. All sentences will run concurrently.

Berkeley was also given 139 days for unpaid fines as well as 153 days for making false statements, driving without a licence and speeding at 62 -- all to run concurrently.

But Berkeley was initially fined $1,050 for the traffic offences and Mr. King asked him where he would get the money.